fiction files redux discussion

Ok, I have been very very inactive... Bit I promised Kerry I would reconnect... Soooooo here goes. I have read 2 good to great books I a row, the Hunger Games Trilogy, State of Wonder and In the Garden of Beasts so I want to keep my streak going, but hoping for a bit more humor and a little less war and death. Thoughts from all you fine readers?
Thanks!
Tracy (the Once and Future Fiction Filer)

Yay! Welcome back, Tracy!

Hi Tracy! It was so great seeing you! Ok, of course I have to recommend Ben's new book first and foremost: Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day and then have you ever read I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith? It is one of my favorites that I've read in the past few years.

How about Confederacy of the Dunces?

Patrick: I remember trying to read that years ago and getting so frustrated with the lead character that I couldn't keep reading. It has been recommended to me so many times since. I swear everyone thinks I'm crazy for not being able to get into it.

Kerry, those sound great! I remember reading Ben's Octopus story a while back. I thought it was fabulous. I will be adding his book to my to the list ASAP.

Thanks Patty! Good to be back :)

Well, interestingly enough, "Catch-22" is hilarious AND has war and death...perfect combo? I think so!

Yes, the main character is a ego manic, but I liked the irony of him thinking he could change the world and invertedly doing so by changing the lives of the people around him.

Not a novel, but great fun:

The Tao of Pooh.

Quick too.

Ry wrote: "Well, interestingly enough, "Catch-22" is hilarious AND has war and death...perfect combo? I think so!"

I love, love this book! Been ages since I read it. Time for a re-read me thinks?

Patrick wrote: "Yes, the main character is a ego manic, but I liked the irony of him thinking he could change the world and invertedly doing so by changing the lives of the people around him."

I don't think I made it that far... He was so pathetic, I just couldn't keep going. I had the same reaction when I read the Shipping News, but she gave me just enough of a glimmer that I kept going

Something Happened is better - Good as Gold also maybe

Also, a book I just started reading today (long overdue), "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro is freaking amazing. There's an irresistible pull created by the narrative that acts like a tractor beam on me. It's awesome. But it's also not very funny. Kind of the opposite actually.

Ry wrote: "Also, a book I just started reading today (long overdue), "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro is freaking amazing. There's an irresistible pull created by the narrative that acts like a tractor bea..."

I watched the film about a month ago and it was AMAZING. Totally want to read the book.

Ry wrote: "Also, a book I just started reading today (long overdue), "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro is freaking amazing. There's an irresistible pull created by the narrative that acts like a tractor bea..."

I read Never Let Me Go earlier this year and loved it. I loved Kathy's narrative voice.

Tracy wrote: "Patrick: I remember trying to read that years ago and getting so frustrated with the lead character that I couldn't keep reading. It has been recommended to me so many times since. I swear everyone..."

Tracy - He's is a difficult character to connect with, so I understand the trouble you've had with it. I really liked it, but only after I stopped trying to care about the main character and just enjoy the satire.

Ry wrote: "Also, a book I just started reading today (long overdue), "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro is freaking amazing. There's an irresistible pull created by the narrative that acts like a tractor bea..."

Never Let Me Go was one of the best books/film adaptations I had experienced in a LONG while. I agree with Kerry, it was Kathy's unique voice and manner that hooked me. I love how she tells the story and found myself caring for her. Even though I don’t particularly like her all that much I couldn’t help be drawn to her.

Tracy,

Have you read the new Neil Gaiman/Al Sarrantonio collective Stories: All-New Tales ? It's bit hit and miss for me so far, but what I liked I loved enough to purchase the book. Another great read for me this year was The Magician's Book which I'm almost finished with. I wouldn't say it was funny though. Some of the stories in Stories were funny and some of the ones in Ben's Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day are quite hilarious and wonderful.

HA! I’ve just realized that I recommend all three books I am reading… funny how that works…

The other “book” I read this year that I LOVE is Shaun Tan’s Tales from Outer Suburbia. It was short, unique, imaginative and funny. In short – it was where wonderful is made.

Friends of mine really like One Day, which is about to be turned into a movie. A sort of Gen X version of Same Time Next Year, but British. David Mitchell's latest I am told is good. His Cloud Atlas is a dream, and number9dream are two of the best novels I have read in the last few years.

Micha wrote: "Tracy,

Have you read the new Neil Gaiman/Al Sarrantonio collective Stories: All-New Tales ? It's bit hit and miss for me so far, but what I liked I loved enough to purchase the book. Anoth..."

I love Neil Gaiman, I'll have to add it to my "too reads"